Early to Middle Pleistocene dynamics of plant and mammal communities in South West Europe

摘要: Abstract For the first time, general trends of large mammal fauna changes in SW Europe during Middle Pleistocene Revolution (MPR) have been compared with coeval vegetation dynamics. Both and animal communities significantly varied MPR, but different regional timings modes. A number new last appearances are found mammals, so that there is no substantial loss richness. By contrast, since at least 1.5 Ma tree genera recorded Europe, while many taxa progressively disappeared their range was occupied by already present region. Compared to animals, plant show a remarkable persistence, cases modern populations may be direct descendants Early ones same No such case long-term persistence late observed faunal record, which underwent complex history species turnovers, mainly related dispersal events, competitive exclusions, also originations endemic species. comparison among shows marked increase regionalization MPR only modest differences dynamics N Spain, S France central Italy. On whole, disentangling relationships between mammals time scales 10 5 years very task, due patterns change relation climate oscillations.